Be still and know I am God Be still and know I am

Be still and know Be still

Be It has been a joyous journey serving as rector for NCPP#157! I have experienced God’s grace in many ways, large and small. The scripture for the weekend is Psalm 46:10 – be still and know I am God. These simple seven words have shaped my spiritual life. They have been and continue to be my touchstone and North Star guiding me to each new step in my journey. This scripture is a direct message from God that continues to remind me to find quiet time, to settle my mind and to let go of life’s distrac-tions so that I can hear God’s leading. In this world of con-stant information overload and the desire for instant gratifi-cation, when every moment of the day is packed, this scrip-ture reminds us all to slow down, to be still, to let go so that we can make space to experience God’s loving presence.

This scripture is an invitation to delve ever deeper into relationship with God. It calls us to quiet the external distractions so that we can find our still place within the storm. “Be still” can also be translated as “let go”, surrender or even stop fighting. By releasing those things that have a grip on us - fear, shame, guilt, pain, expectations, anger - we make space to accept God’s gift of grace. God asks us to come with open hands, open minds, open hearts, letting go of anything and everything that we hold onto that gets in the way of hearing and knowing God as God is, not as we want God to be. From this place of stillness and peace within, we reflect God’s love and grace into the world.

As I have attempted to live this scripture over many years, slowly and steadily, God has trans-formed me. As I have prepared for this weekend, I have heard God’s invitation to let go of con-trol, of expectations, of distractions, of fear, of feelings of inadequacy, of everything that was getting in the way of listening for God. In the process of trying and failing and trying again, I have been changed, bit by bit. I have learned to trust Him more and more. The breath prayer shared by one of our pastors sums it up: “More of you God, less of me”.

From the time I accepted the call to serve as rector, I have prayed for the weekend to be ex-actly what God intended. By God’s grace, this team has come together with the perfect group of speakers, head chas, and team members. We have ten first time team members, five first time speakers and three first time head chas. I have been humbled and blessed by the love and grace shown by each team member as we have planned and prepared together. I am amazed and grateful to the team and 4th day that have sponsored 34 guests for the weekend!

For the members of the 4th day who are not serving on the team, there are many ways that you can support this weekend. I hope that you will consider at least one of the following: praying for the team and guests, signing up for the prayer banner, attending sendoff, serenade or closing, writing palanca letters, sending palanca gifts, or welcoming our newest pilgrims at the Ultreya.

God loves you and so do I!

Martha Higgins

NCPP#157

NCPP # 157 FEB 21-24, 2019

NC Presbyterian Pilgrimage News

NC Presbyterian Pilgrimage News

Key Dates & Times

· Send Off: Feb 21, 6:30 PM

· Serenade: Feb 23, 5:30 PM

· Closing: Feb 24, 4:00 PM

· Ultreya: Mar 9, 5:30 PM

@ Main Street UMC Kernersville

Emergency Contact:

Jennie Maness

336-362-9344

Inside this issue:

Guest List 2

Team List 3

Registrar Trivia & Upcoming Week-ends

4

GIFT of Serenade & Prayer Banner

5

Directions to Camp & Ultreya

6

Piedmont Confer-ence

7

Logo by Laura Hardy

Page 2 NC Presbyterian Pilgrimage News

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“Be still and know I am God” Psalm 46:10

NC Presbyterian Pilgrimage #157 Team List

CLOSING SERVICE REMINDER:

Page 3 NC Presbyterian Pilgrimage News

DATE: Sunday, February 24th TIME: 4:00 PM Why come to the Closing Ceremony? 1. Welcome the new Pilgrims to the Fourth Day! 2. Support the team! 3. Help pack up! Whether in the kitchen, the cabins, the chapel, or the rollo room, there’s a place to lend

an extra hand.

Chapel Sue Moore (Head) Martha Boger *Jackie Claes Ed Cooke David Farmer Mary Farmer Escort Lenwood Collins (Head) Wilma Rogers Mary Ann Smith Facilitators Jennie Maness (Head) Wayne Boger Tom Callicutt Ron Eberhardt Micki Fischer Laura Hochstein Melinda Thomas Kitchen Irene Linford (Head) Lenny Dean Nancy Farmer Jennifer Gray *Pam Hawkins Lori Johnson Jim Rubel Leah Stone Paula Stone *Becky Wallner 4th Day Jennie Maness

Music John Mills (Head) *Maggie Amaya Brian Fitts David Gibson Ginny Mills Holly Mills Outside Mark Hampton (Head) *David Amaya Margaret Bell Hugh Black *Troy Bryant *Elizabeth Bumgarner Robin Gonsiewski Lara Hampton Fred Hannah Steve Miller Michelle Wentz Palanca Lynn Carey (Head) *David Higgins Teresa McGraw Louise O’Shea Jessi Mathews-Rush Pastors Neil Routh (Head) Dana Fruits Rick Purcell Photo Cha Alesia Pendleton

E-cha Scott Greene Transportation Kaye Spaugh Rollo Room Laura Hardy (Head) Johnsely Cyrus Pam Denny Pacie Edwards *Kathy Gaines Angie Hancock Krista Hannah *Michael Hull Susan Miller Beverly Routh Speakers Ideals - Linda Fitts Grace Given – Dana Fruits Laity - Annette Barger Grace Received – Neil Routh Piety - Julia Geniac Study - Jim Gonsiewski Sacraments – Rick Purcell Action - David Chrystie Leaders - Durwin Denny Obstacles – Rick Purcell Environment – Teresa Johnston CCIA – Ben Robinson Life in Grace – Neil Routh Total Security – Martha Higgins *First time team member

Rector: Martha Higgins Head Cha: Mike Witt Observing Rector: Nancy Purcell�

Registrar Trivia:

Page 4 NC Presbyterian Pilgrimage News

Question: What three items comprise an acceptable guest application? Answer: A complete guest Application form (with Pastor Signature), a complete sponsor application form, and deposit – complete means every blank is filled in! Question: What is required for the NCPP movement to thrive? Answer: Guests Question: You are thinking of sponsoring a guest – what should you do first? Answer: Pray, pray, PRAY then read & meet the Guidelines for a Pilgrimage Sponsor. Question: How do you know when the next weekend is and who is the Rector? Answer: Go to www.ncpilgrimage.org, click on “weekend Information” and “Weekend Dates.” Question: Should you share with your potential guests all they should expect on a weekend? Answer: No, you should share generalities but do not reveal any special surprises. Question: Is it alright to bring my guest and a completed application to surprise the team? Answer: No, neither the Registrar nor the team like surprises!!!! You should provide the complete application to the Registrar by the guest deadline, usually 2 weeks before the weekend to allow yourself adequate time to collect special palanca and for the team to prepare for your guest. Question: Can I use an application I found in a team manual from 5 years ago and where can I find the Registrar’s address? Answer: No, you should always print a NEW application form from the www.ncpilgrimage.org website (under “Weekend Information” and “Forms”) to make sure you are meeting the latest requirements. The current Regis-trar’s address for each conference is on the bottom of the Sponsor’s application. Question: What should I say if my guest says they cannot afford the weekend? Answer: First ask your guest how much they could pay then speak to the Registrar about financial assistance. Question: Is it ok to print a copy of the outlines for my guest to get ready for the weekend? Answer: Please print only the NCPP Brochure from the www.ncpilgrimage.org website (under “4th Day Commu-nity”). Remember Pilgrimage will provide everything else they need for the weekend. Question: Who is responsible for obtaining guest palanca? Answer: You are as the sponsor. You may deliver it discretely to a team member at Send-Off, send it to camp with a team member, or deliver it to the baskets when you go for dinner prior to the Serenade.

Weekend Date Rector Location #158 March 7-10 Su Johnson Camp Dixie #159 April 4-7 Martha Hill Camp Harrison #160 May 16-19 Nancy Purcell Camp Hanes #161 Sept. 19-22 Steve Green Camp Harrison

Upcoming Weekend Dates

When you think back to your own Weekend, what stands out as memorable to you-chapel, the prayer banner, the kitchen skits, serenade, the flowering cross? No doubt the relationships that unfolded at your table come to mind as well. On every Weekend, God creates a new community made up of team and guests who will support one another along the journey He has faithfully orchestrated.

By Saturday night, our Father has been shaping and molding this community for two days in ways only He can do. Serenade is a gift given to this community. God calls us, members of the Fourth Day, to be good stew-ards of this gift respecting, not breaking, this bond He has forged. We are the loving body of Christ sharing God’s grace through song to all gathered around the tables. We do not want to do anything that might take away from this gift of grace we so joyfully bring. Sere-nade is meant to be an inclusive experience for ALL guests. Inclusion supports community, and therefore hugging and touching guests and team is discouraged as it interferes with the evolution of that divine bond. Consider the guest who does not recognize a soul among the singing faces. When they see us breaking that bond by touching a loved one or a friend, they may focus on the fact that their family is not present. They may feel alienated and lose sight of the gift that is being given.

In order to promote this sense of inclusion, come and share the gift of Serenade with all. Share God’s love through your presence. Sing with a joyful heart.

Share God’s love from the outskirts of the room with-out breaking the boundaries of God’s special commu-nity. Focus on the gift of serenade and resist the temptation of engaging in conversation with guests or team.

Think of serenade as the act of worship that it truly is, and let your Christ light shine through your song, your smile, and your loving presence.

God Loves You and So Do We,

NCPP State Council

Sharing the GIFT of Serenade

1. Go to http://www.prayerbanner.org/

2. Create an Account (you must have your own account)

3. Receive an email confirmation from manager@prayerbanner.org

4. Respond to the Confirmation Request “Confirm my Email”

5. Sign Up for a Prayer Banner (Note: You must Log In with your Password)

6. Select your prayer time and Click the “Reserve” icon

Page 5 NC Presbyterian Pilgrimage News

Sign Up for the Prayer Banner!

Page 6 NC Presbyterian Pilgrimage News

Ultreya:

Directions to Camp Hanes

Bring a covered dish (salad, main dish, or desert) and join us as we greet the new Pilgrims! Hear about their weekend. See old friends and meet new ones! Join in singing and worship and celebrate the commis-sioning of the rector for weekend #160! When? March 9, 2019 5:30-9:00 PM Where? Main Street UMC 306 S Main St, Kernersville, NC 27284

If you would like to serve on a team, download the team application form from the NCPP web site, www.ncpilgrimage.org. Fill it out and send it to the rector of the weekend. On the form, you can indicate your preference for your role on the team. It is not always possible for rectors to find a spot for everyone who wishes to serve on a weekend, but they are particularly interested in having new members of the 4th Day Community serve on teams.

NCPP # 157 FEB 21-24, 2019

Moderator Lew Thomas

Vice Moderator Mike Maynard

Secretary Jennifer Pendleton

Pastor Representatives Jennie Hemrick, Neil Routh

Leadership Committee Mary-Jo Dryden, Martha Albertson, Vicki Horner

Registrar Lenwood Collins

Fourth Day Angelin Ham

Newsletter Patrick Horner

Outreach Scott Greene

Palanca Teresa McGraw

Operations Chris Bagwell, Tom Callicut

Reunion Groups Ron Eberhardt

Serenade Jeane Batten, Lori Johnson

Documentation Jennie Maness

Database Manager Durwin Denny

Trainer Jennie Maness

Treasurer Vicki Horner

Piedmont Conference

NC Presbyterian Pilgrimage News

Warehouse The Warehouse has moved to a new location. It is now locat-ed at: CDS Indoor Storage 128 S. Edwardia Dr. Greensboro, NC 27409 Thank you to Chris Bagwell and Tom Callicut for their time and efforts in finding the new location for us.

Would You Like To Serve On A Pilgrimage Team?

Please verify your personal information on the NCPP website. Telephone num-bers, email addresses, names etc. do change and make it difficult to get in touch with you.